Abstract: A modular vending machine is provided. The modular vending machine can include a central module having a pickup area and one or more product storage cabinets.

Abstract: A modular vending machine is provided. The modular vending machine can include a central module having a pickup area and one or more product storage cabinets.

Abstract: An electric household appliance (1) having an outer box casing (2), in turn having, on the front face (2a), an opening (3) for access to the inside of the appliance; and a door (4) fixed to the box casing (2) by a hinge (5) located close to the peripheral edge (3a) of the opening (3) and designed to allow the door (4) to rotate to and from a closed position, in which the body of the door (4) rests on the front face (2a) of the box casing (2), thus closing the opening (3); the hinge (5) of the door (4) is designed to selectively and alternatively fit to the box casing (2) firmly, but in easily removable manner, in two distinct positions on opposite sides of the front opening (3) of said household appliance (1).

Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a rotatable drum and an air delivery system. The air delivery system can include a reversible blower that provides air at a first flow rate when operated in a first direction and provides air at a second lower flow rate when operated in an opposite second direction. The drum can be a reversibly rotatable drum that is rotatable in a first and an opposite second direction, and the dryer can include a drive motor that both rotates the drum and operates the blower. Drum and blower reversal may be controlled to optimize drying efficiency and also reduce stress on the drive system. A moisture delivery system can provide moisture (e.g., water mist or steam) into the drum while air is being provided at the lower second flow rate, and during drum rotation (tumbling).

Abstract: A laundry appliance door frame provides an integrated, flame resistant and aesthetic alternative to conventional laundry appliance door frame assemblies, with the benefits of both plastic and metal. The laundry appliance door frame assembly includes a first frame member forming a first peripheral portion of a laundry appliance door about a window pane and a second frame member forming a second peripheral portion of a laundry appliance door about the window pane. The frame members provide a seat to support the window pane on one side and interlocks with reversible hinge and latch components that become part of the frame. Each frame member includes an elongated metal bracket which is at least partially encapsulated within a casing formed of plastic material over-molded onto the metal bracket. The metal brackets form a capture mechanism that provides flame resistant structural support to the side of the window pane opposite the seat.

Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a rotatable drum and an air delivery system. The air delivery system can include a reversible blower that provides air at a first flow rate when operated in a first direction and provides air at a second lower flow rate when operated in an opposite second direction. The drum can be a reversibly rotatable drum that is rotatable in a first and an opposite second direction, and the dryer can include a drive motor that both rotates the drum and operates the blower. Drum and blower reversal may be controlled to optimize drying efficiency and also reduce stress on the drive system. A moisture delivery system can provide moisture (e.g., water mist or steam) into the drum while air is being provided at the lower second flow rate, and during drum rotation (tumbling).

Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a rotatable drum, an air delivery system selectively operable to provide air into the drum at a first flow rate and a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate, and a moisture delivery system operable to provide moisture (e.g., water mist or steam) into the drum while air is being provided at the lower second flow rate, and during drum rotation (tumbling), to thus enhance dispersion of the moisture into the fabrics of the load, and the attendant dewrinkling/refresh benefits. The air delivery system can include a reversible blower that provides air at the first flow rate when operated in a first direction and provides air at the second flow rate when operated in an opposite second direction. The drum can be a reversibly rotatable drum that is rotatable in a first and an opposite second direction, and the dryer can include a drive motor that both rotates the drum and operates the blower.

Abstract: A dryer has complex angled surfaces and a plurality of grip elements thereon. The angled surfaces have varying angles of inclination relative to a base of the dryer vane and the characteristics of the grip elements vary in relation to the angle of inclination of the surface portions upon which they are disposed. The grip elements may protrude from the vane surfaces and the height of the grip elements may vary in relation to the varying angle of inclination of the surfaces. Taller grip elements may be provided on the less inclined surfaces and shorter grip elements may be provided on the more inclined surfaces.

Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a cylindrical drum shell mounted for rotation on front and rear stationary bulkheads of the dryer. A drive system is configured to rotate the drum in first and second opposite directions. Three rollers are arranged about a lower portion of the drum circumference, on the rear bulkhead, to stably support the rotatable drum during rotation in the first and second directions. The arrangement can also avoid potential flexing and distortion of a cylindrical drum shell of relatively large diameter. In addition, a reversing idler assembly is provided for maintaining proper tension on a drive belt during drum rotation in the two directions. The assembly provides a biased mount for two pulleys on a pair of arms integrally formed with a spring as a single piece, in lieu of separate articulated mounting arms and a separate biasing spring.

Abstract: An electric household appliance (1) having an outer box casing (2), in turn having, on the front face (2a), an opening (3) for access to the inside of the appliance; and a door (4) fixed to the box casing (2) by a hinge (5) located close to the peripheral edge (3a) of the opening (3) and designed to allow the door (4) to rotate to and from a closed position, in which the body of the door (4) rests on the front face (2a) of the box casing (2), thus closing the opening (3); the hinge (5) of the door (4) is designed to selectively and alternatively fit to the box casing (2) firmly, but in easily removable manner, in two distinct positions on opposite sides of the front opening (3) of said household appliance (1).

Abstract: A flow enhancing air grill for a laundry dryer includes a plurality of apertures through which air flows from a rotatable drum to an air duct. The air grill is positioned over the air duct and extends beyond the air duct. In addition, a primary surface of the air grill is positioned in spaced overlying relationship to a front bulkhead surface so as to form a gap between the primary air grill surface and the underlying front bulkhead surface. The air grill may extend arcuately in conformance to the circular shape of an access port of the dryer in which it is positioned, up inclined wall surfaces of the access port. The arrangement reduces airflow obstruction by allowing adequate air flow in the event the portion of the air grill directly overlying the air duct inlet becomes covered by items of the laundry load.

Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a rotatable drum, an air delivery system selectively operable to provide air into the drum at a first flow rate and a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate, and a moisture delivery system operable to provide moisture (e.g., water mist or steam) into the drum while air is being provided at the lower second flow rate, and during drum rotation (tumbling), to thus enhance dispersion of the moisture into the fabrics of the load, and the attendant dewrinkling/refresh benefits. The air delivery system can include a reversible blower that provides air at the first flow rate when operated in a first direction and provides air at the second flow rate when operated in an opposite second direction. The drum can be a reversibly rotatable drum that is rotatable in a first and an opposite second direction, and the dryer can include a drive motor that both rotates the drum and operates the blower.

Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a cylindrical drum shell mounted for rotation on front and rear stationary bulkheads of the dryer. A drive system is configured to rotate the drum in first and second opposite directions. Three rollers are arranged about a lower portion of the drum circumference, on the rear bulkhead, to stably support the rotatable drum during rotation in the first and second directions. The arrangement can also avoid potential flexing and distortion of a cylindrical drum shell of relatively large diameter. In addition, a reversing idler assembly is provided for maintaining proper tension on a drive belt during drum rotation in the two directions. The assembly provides a biased mount for two pulleys on a pair of arms integrally formed with a spring as a single piece, in lieu of separate articulated mounting arms and a separate biasing spring.

Abstract: A flow enhancing air grill for a laundry dryer includes a plurality of apertures through which air flows from a rotatable drum to an air duct. The air grill is positioned over the air duct and extends beyond the air duct. In addition, a primary surface of the air grill is positioned in spaced overlying relationship to a front bulkhead surface so as to form a gap between the primary air grill surface and the underlying front bulkhead surface. The air grill may extend arcuately in conformance to the circular shape of an access port of the dryer in which it is positioned, up inclined wall surfaces of the access port. The arrangement reduces airflow obstruction by allowing adequate air flow in the event the portion of the air grill directly overlying the air duct inlet becomes covered by items of the laundry load.

Abstract: A dryer has complex angled surfaces and a plurality of grip elements thereon. The angled surfaces have varying angles of inclination relative to a base of the dryer vane and the characteristics of the grip elements vary in relation to the angle of inclination of the surface portions upon which they are disposed. The grip elements may protrude from the vane surfaces and the height of the grip elements may vary in relation to the varying angle of inclination of the surfaces. Taller grip elements may be provided on the less inclined surfaces and shorter grip elements may be provided on the more inclined surfaces.

Abstract: To control a temperature of a dryer system, particularly a laundry dryer, an ON/OFF relay control is employed to switch heater loads. A plurality of heating elements is used in order to more precisely regulate the temperature inside the dryer system. Further, a heating control system that includes a plurality of symmetric heating elements and a control circuit is used to maintain equal distribution of relay switching loads, resulting in an extended lifetime of each individual relay. Asymmetric heating elements may also be used.

Abstract: A laundry appliance door frame provides an integrated, flame resistant and aesthetic alternative to conventional laundry appliance door frame assemblies, with the benefits of both plastic and metal. The laundry appliance door frame assembly includes a first frame member forming a first peripheral portion of a laundry appliance door about a window pane and a second frame member forming a second peripheral portion of a laundry appliance door about the window pane. The frame members provide a seat to support the window pane on one side and interlocks with reversible hinge and latch components that become part of the frame. Each frame member includes an elongated metal bracket which is at least partially encapsulated within a casing formed of plastic material over-molded onto the metal bracket. The metal brackets have exposed tabs on their ends forming a capture mechanism that provides flame resistant structural support to the side of the window pane opposite the seat.

Abstract: A laundry dryer is configured to facilitate multiple venting arrangements, including side venting. A rear wall of the dryer includes a recessed region that extends width-wise along a lower portion of the rear wall, below an inwardly directed step and a deep tray of the rear wall panel. The dryer includes sidewall panels having a generally rectangular cut-away portion located at the respective lower rear corner thereof, in general registry with opposite ends of the recessed region. This arrangement allows the dryer to vent to either the left or right side, or downwardly to the floor, along the exterior of the housing, but within the dryer footprint, without requiring any modifications to the housing or internal vent passage. In addition, the dryer may include a telescoping vent tube extendible beyond the rear wall of the dryer to facilitate connection of an exterior vent extension during dryer installation, and retractable back into the housing.